If you’re worried that Tony Ferguson’s time away from active competition will hinder his performance at Saturday’s UFC 238, then his jiu-jitsu coach Eddie Bravo wants you to relax.

Ferguson hasn’t fought since UFC 229 in October last year, which itself was a return from a devastating injury. Since that bout — a win over Anthony Pettis — Ferguson has gone through serious personal issues, reportedly showing signs of mental issues that caused his wife and family concern. Now, after having received help, Ferguson makes his return against Donald Cerrone in Chicago and attempts to force his name back into the 155-pound title picture.

Naturally, as a fan favourite, Ferguson’s issues have some observers concerned about who we might see returning in the Octagon, particularly since Cerrone is on a huge career resurgence at present.

According to Bravo, who’s been training with Ferguson as he gears up to return, those concerns are unfounded. Ferguson’s back and he’s ready for violence.

“He’s sharper, stronger, in the best shape of his life. It’s the same Tony,” Bravo said on Joe Rogan’s podcast recently. “You’d think, ‘is it the same Tony after he had some family stuff go on? Is that going to change him?’ His opponents hope it changes him, but he’s the same Tony. When it comes to fighting, we don’t get into personal stuff. We just stick to fighting and the strategy. He’s sharper than ever. You can’t guarantee any wins, but I will guarantee he’s going to go in 100% Tony.

“That’s like Russian Roulette right there. They’re gonna be throwing bombs at each other,” Bravo continued. “Cowboy is no joke,. He doesn’t fight like Khabib, he doesn’t fight like Conor [McGregor]. He fights like Tony. So it’s like similar, it’s like Tony vs. Tony. They’re both good on the ground. They’re very good on the ground. We respect Cowboy’s ground game a lot. We did what we could to make sure nothing bad happens on the ground.

“Tony is coming for war like he always does. It’s gonna be the same Tony in there throwing down.”